Harry Kane scored Bayern Munich’s precious 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Kane, who returned from an ankle injury, scored his 49th goal of the season in 41 appearances for Germany with a stunning side-footed goal from the edge of the penalty area just 20 seconds into the second half, adding to Luis Diaz’s superb finish just before half-time.
Kylian Mbappe made nine saves in the 74th minute, converting a fine cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold to beat Bayern’s impressive 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The home side pulled one back in the 74th minute, easing the difficulty of the team’s task when they travel to the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.
Luis Diaz scores a goal to give Bayern Munich the lead against Real Madrid
Both teams took 20 shots each, 17 of which were on target, resulting in a breathless draw that lived up to expectations. Bayern showed in the first half why many are the favorites to win the competition, but Real were a constant threat on the counter through Mbappé and Vinicius Junior.
Neuer repeatedly denied the pair’s shots, but Bayern centre-back Dayot Upamecano somehow missed the ball from close to goal, allowing Alvaro Carreras to clear it on the goal line. It was a rare positive moment for Real’s left-back. Because he was getting beat up all night by Michael Oliseh, who couldn’t play.
Serge Gnabry also squandered a clear chance when Real found themselves in trouble, but the Bayern forward linked up with Kane late in the second half and slotted Dias in for the opener.
Kane was quiet in the first half and didn’t miss any chances until Bayern lost to Real after the restart. Olise teed up the striker on the edge of the box and he deftly slotted a goal into the bottom right corner.
Vinicius missed the goal from an angle after going around Neuer, drawing jeers from the home fans, while Mbappé was still unable to find a way past the goalkeeper with a low shot that tipped backwards.
However, the introduction of Jude Bellingham gave the team some momentum and Alexander-Arnold showed his ability with crosses, driving the ball low into the area for Mbappé to tuck in, despite Neuer tucking the ball under the crossbar before breaking the line.
Neuer was forced into another save from Vinicius and Bayern sub Jamal Musiala squandered a late chance to end the second leg on a high note.
Arbeloa: “I can win anywhere”
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa:
“I think he (Neuer) was the MVP, so we had a lot of chances to score more goals. We didn’t do it, but we’re still alive and we’re going with the hope of winning in Germany.”
“It will not be easy. I have played there many times and I know that the atmosphere at Allianz is not easy for the opponents. But we are Real Madrid and we can win wherever we go.”
Company: Decide your chances at home
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany:
“The few chances that I think we should have held back against are the ones where we could have scored if we went against Allianz. But there’s no reason not to go into the next game with full belief and the idea that we’re just going to win, even if we’re playing against a team with unbelievable talent.”
On Neuer: “He makes it look so easy. That’s the mark of a great goalkeeper. They make incredible saves in really difficult angles and make it look really easy, but he also has a level of technique to flick the ball out of dangerous areas.”
Kane: Just one goal lead – must stay focused
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane:
“It’s always difficult to come to Madrid and try to get a result, but I think we played really well today. Of course there were things we could have done better, maybe the last ball, the last finish, we had some good chances there, but it’s all thanks to them.”
“Manu (El Neuer) made some really good saves so overall we can be really happy with the win and we’ll take this into next week.
“We are in a good position but we are one goal behind. Things can change quickly so we need to stay focused.”
Best fact: Arbeloa loses to Alonso
It was the first time Bayern Munich defeated Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League since April 2012 (2-1). They finished nine games in this tournament without winning (D2 L7). This is the sixth time in history that Real Madrid have lost at home in the first leg of a two-legged European Cup/UEFA Champions League knockout stage, and the first since the Round of 16 against Manchester City in 2019-20. (1-2). Real Madrid have already lost as many games under Alvaro Arbeloa (6 losses, 4 wins out of 19) as they did under Xabi Alonso (6 wins, 24 wins, 24 losses). This is the second time on record (since 2003-04) that Real Madrid have both had 20 or more shots on goal and a game in which they had 20 or more shots in the UEFA Champions. League knockout stage match – The last time was in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich at the Bernabéu (April 2017). Kylian Mbappé has scored 14 goals in 10 UEFA Champions League games this season, the most since Karim Benzema’s 15 (also for Real Madrid) in the 2021-22 season.
